Posted!

Join the Conversation

State provides more money to combat hepatitis A outbreak

Times Herald
Published 9:09 a.m. ET March 27, 2018

Buy Photo

The first of two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine — another will come in six months — await use beside a tetanus shot at the St. Clair County Health Department.(Photo: Jackie Smith/Times Herald)Buy Photo

The state Department of Health and Human Services has issued $500,000 in grants to 25 local health departments to combat the state's hepatitis A outbreak, according to a news release.

The Huron County Health Department and the Tuscola County Health Department each received $20,000 to increase vaccination outreach to high-risk populations.

The state previously had awarded a total of $2.5 million to 20 health departments that were considered part of the outbreak jurisdiction including St. Clair and Sanilac counties.

Hepatitis A symptoms can include:

Nausea and vomiting

Belly pain

Feeling tired

Fever

Loss of appetite

Yellowing of the skin and eyes

Dark urine

Pale-colored feces

Joint pain

Getting vaccinated, practicing good hand washing and avoiding sex with infected partners are ways to prevent getting infected, according to a health department news release. The hepatitis A vaccine is available at local pharmacies, through healthcare providers and at local health departments.